Chapter 4:

How We Learn

The Heart of the Matter, The American Academy of Arts & Sciences

From pundits and politicians, we constantly hear about the need to help American students become more competitive in the “global marketplace”—code for the need to teach more math and science. While laudable, this stated goal too often has the unintended effect of deemphasizing the importance of other, equally valuable disciplines — first and foremost, the humanities. Making a spirited case for the place of the humanities in modern life, this video invites viewers to challenge some of the more conventional ways we have been taught to define a meaningful education. Composed of leaders in the arts, business, and public affairs, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts studies into current social, cultural, and intellectual issues.

Source: http://vimeo.com/68662447

Download Transcript

Discussion and Writing Questions

After watching The Heart of the Matter, consider the questions below.

Discussion:

Writing: